London Lions in EuroLeague franchise bid as European basketball eyes capital

London Lions are reportedly in the mix for a future EuroLeague franchise in the capital, as European basketball continues to position London as one of its key growth markets.

Hoopsfix, citing City AM, reported that EuroLeague CEO Chus Bueno named the Lions among the interested parties for a London franchise as the competition works towards an expanded 24-team model. The comments come with EuroLeague also preparing for the competitive pressure of the incoming NBA Europe League.

“In the case of London, we have the interest of the London Lions, just to be clear. They want to become franchisees, they said it already,” Bueno told City AM, according to the report. He added that there were two other interested investors and described London as a major market for the competition.

The story is significant for British basketball because it points to both the opportunity and the challenge facing the Lions. London is viewed as a major commercial market, but Bueno also warned there was “more risk” in making a top-level franchise work in the capital and questioned whether the domestic league would provide the right competitive platform.

For Super League Basketball, that is a major talking point. The Lions have already secured EuroCup basketball for 2026/27 through a three-plus-two-year agreement with Euroleague Basketball, and they have also discussed plans for a dedicated new arena in London. A future EuroLeague step would raise the club’s profile again, but it could also create difficult questions about how an elite European programme fits alongside the British domestic calendar.

For now, there is no confirmed EuroLeague franchise award. But the Lions being publicly linked with the conversation is another sign that London remains central to how European basketball views the UK market.

Image/source note: Article image sourced from Hoopsfix coverage of the London Lions EuroLeague franchise report. Reuse rights should be confirmed before publication if required.

Sources

• Hoopsfix: London Lions in EuroLeague franchise bid